Alex Verdugo, a skilled baseball athlete, has garnered recognition in the professional leagues in recent years. Having emerged as a promising prospect within the Los Angeles Dodgers system, he carried high expectations of becoming a standout player at the highest level of competition.
While showcasing moments of exceptional talent on the field, his overall achievements have displayed a certain degree of irregularity so far, aside from that he has been a great addition to the Boston Red Sox, which are currently in second place in the American League East, and they have a good chance of making the playoffs. However, they are not considered to be a favorite to win the World Series. As of May 24, 2023, the Red Sox have the following odds:
To win the World Series: +6000
To win the American League: +3000
To make the playoffs: -110
If you want to explore the wagering market, there are a number of different betting opportunities available for the Red Sox. For example, by using promo codes like BetMGM Massachusetts you could bet on the team to win the World Series, win the American League, or make the playoffs. Or also bet on the team to win a specific game, or to score a certain number of runs.
If you are interested in betting on the Red Sox, it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved. Betting on sports can be a fun way to add excitement to the game, but it is important to remember that you could lose money, keep that in mind, so moving forward let’s discuss more about Alex Verdugo’s Career so far, this post aims to provide an in-depth examination of Alex Verdugo’s professional journey to the Red Sox, along with the evaluation of his offensive skills, defensive skills, and base running skills.
The Professional Journey of Alex Verdugo to the Red Sox
On February 10, 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Alex Verdugo, along with Jeter Downs and Connor Wong, to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Mookie Betts, David Price, and cash considerations. In the delayed 2020 season, Verdugo played as a regular outfielder for Boston, primarily in left and right field, appearing in a total of 53 games. During this time, he achieved a batting average of .308 with six home runs and 15 RBIs. However, he had the lowest fielding percentage among qualified outfielders at .959.
In the 2021 season, Verdugo continued as a key member of Boston’s outfield, playing all three positions. He participated in 146 regular-season games, batting .289 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs. He also contributed to 11 postseason games, batting .310 as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series. Towards the end of the season, Verdugo expressed his aspiration to become a two-way player by the 2023 season.
Returning as a corner outfielder in 2022, Verdugo appeared in 150 games in the outfield and two as a designated hitter, batting .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged Verdugo’s potential for improvement in terms of baserunning and defense for the upcoming 2023 season.
On January 13, 2023, the Red Sox and Verdugo reached an agreement on a one-year contract, successfully avoiding salary arbitration.
Offensive Skills of Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo’s displays of excellence while batting has been evident throughout his career, albeit his overall performance has exhibited a degree of irregularity.
Verdugo’s career in the major leagues spans five seasons, during which he has achieved a respectable batting average of .283, an on-base percentage of .343, and a slugging percentage of .440. These figures position him moderately among his counterparts in the same position.
Taking advanced metrics into consideration, Verdugo’s career OPS+ stands at 105, indicating a slightly above-average ability to generate runs for his team, considering factors such as league and ballpark conditions.
When compared to other outfielders in the league, Verdugo generally falls within the middle range in terms of batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. His offensive contributions align with players such as Brandon Nimmo, Kyle Schwarber, and Eddie Rosario.
Defensive Skills of Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo is highly regarded for his exceptional defensive skills as an outfielder, characterized by impressive range, a powerful arm, and overall solid performance. His ability to cover a significant amount of ground in the outfield sets him apart, allowing him to reach balls that may elude other players and preventing extra-base hits.
Furthermore, Verdugo’s arm strength adds to his defensive skills, enabling accurate throws both while fielding on the move and when charging toward a ball. This attribute proves invaluable in impeding runners from advancing and making crucial plays at the plate.
Consistently demonstrating reliability, Verdugo makes minimal errors and is widely acknowledged as a dependable defender. Advanced metrics, such as his career Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) tally of 17, support his reputation as a strong defensive outfielder.
Compared to fellow outfielders in the league, Verdugo’s defensive skills generally exceed expectations. His exceptional range and arm strength earn him recognition as one of the premier defensive outfielders in the American League.
Base Running Skills of Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo has demonstrated notable base running skills throughout his career. While he may not be among the fastest players in the league, he possesses above-average speed for an outfielder. He exhibits the ability to convert singles into doubles and doubles into triples on occasion, showcasing his smart and efficient base running approach.
However, stealing bases is an area where Verdugo has shown some weakness. With only 18 stolen base attempts in his career, he has succeeded in 13 of them, resulting in a 72% success rate. While this rate is not unfavorable, it suggests that stealing bases is not a prominent aspect of Verdugo’s game.
Compared to other outfielders in the league, Verdugo’s baserunning ability is generally regarded as above average. While he may not be the swiftest or most prolific base stealer, his astute baserunning decisions and commendable speed make him a valuable asset on the base paths.
The Bottom Line
Alex Verdugo is a proficient outfielder who exhibits proficiency in various aspects of the game. Notably, his defensive skills stand out, characterized by excellent range and a formidable arm, rendering him a valuable asset on the field.